So who will laugh the most at the end of the league and lift the championship cup above their heads? And how does Zuřivec see it?
I would really be a dusty “Zuřivec” if I didn’t waver in the hope that Sparta will eventually burn down the pond for everyone and become the league champion. After Boleslav and the loss of first place a few laps before the end of the regular part of the competition, such faith may seem ripe for Chocholoušek, but I know my stuff. Even without insiders, I have reasons to believe in the proverbial icing on the league cake. And what are those reasons? For the sake of semblance of seriousness, I’ll call them factors. So, which factors come to mind?
Factor #1: Brian Priske
In less than two years in the Czech league, he quickly became one of the league’s coaching superstars. At one time, he was even talked about far more than the “local” superstar among the coaches of Jindřich Trpišovský, the coach of Eden’s arch-rival. Like Trpišovský in Slavia, Brian Priske was able to return to Summer Pride in a very short time and regain the lost respect of his opponents. Although Tomáš Rosický, as sports director, talked about running on a longer track, Brian Priske managed to create a working “machine” in accordance with the club’s philosophy during one season. Everything at Letná is subordinated to her and his visions: purchases, the game system and the players’ mentality. In this “Priskian” Leten era, not only football is wanted from them, but absolute submission to success. Faith in him and in his own abilities. The team under coach Prisk has achieved a lot: from last season’s title, through this year’s EL campaign (Liverpool is also counted – also a stone in the mosaic) to the elimination of Slavia from the MOL Cup. All in a drop of offensive creativity that amuses not only the Spartan nation, but also scoundrels and naysayers. Priske equals success. That’s why it’s the number one factor.
Factor number 2: captain Ladislav Krejčí
I have a friend who has the opportunity to look into the kitchen of both Prague aces (and when I mean kitchen, I mean literally). He once told me before the upcoming derby (in the time before Brian Prisk) that the Slavists confided in him how they believed in Letenské (at that time it was still allowed). Only Krejčí worries them a little. I think the Slavists won the derby then, but Ladislav Krejčí was one of Sparta’s most dangerous players (I think he was the only one at the time). This shows the extraordinary contribution of the captain. You can object a thousand and one things against, but Ladislav Krejčí is a leader and a fighter. Of course, a football player who can score the most important goals. He is an uncomfortable player. That is its added value. That’s why my factor is number two.
Factor number 3: creative power
You won’t find a more creative force in the league who, on his day, can tear apart any defense. After all, the power of offensive creativity is also evidenced by the way in which Slavia adjusted its playing style in order to take a point away from Letná in the last derby. Players like Kairinen, Laci are top fighters in our league, from whom we cannot expect any kind of running around without the ball. They want to create, create and attack. Complemented by very offensive regions, Preciad, Zelený or Ryneš, they can create creative pressure on the opponent so that they eventually open the door to their defense, which the death squads from the attacking trident can take advantage of. Leten’s creativity in reserve, that’s my number three factor (aka brute force won’t win).
Factor number 4: Veljko Birmančević
I think even the biggest die-hards will agree with me that the Serbian winger can decide the match by himself. Thanks to his excellent technique, speed (and an expert would say speed with the ball) he is a permanent danger to the opponents’ defense. In addition, he has been in great playing mood lately and it seems that this does not leave him, on the contrary, with each subsequent match in the red jersey, he is more colorful and laughing. When the team doesn’t go well, “Burma” takes it on. One big certainty at the moment. And I rank this certainty as factor number four.
And that’s how I see it. No, I didn’t go crazy, I didn’t fall on a rake, I didn’t fall off a strawberry, because I am Furious (and who is more?). But I could be wrong, I don’t care. See you in the superstructure.
